Stepladder stabilizer

ABSTRACT

A stepladder is stabilized by an extensible leg pivotally extended outwardly of a side rail of the ladder to a limit position. A hinge bracket is mounted on the top platform of the ladder and projects laterally therefrom to pivotally suspend the leg about an axis in parallel spaced relation to the side rail.

United States Patent 1191 Grebausky Aug. 26, 1975 [54] STEPLADDER STABILIZER 2,523,535 9/1950 Little 182/107 2,997,127 8 1961 W 't 182 172 [76] Inventor: Alex Grebalsky 50 3 370 817 2/1968 .1 248/1 823.6 Carbondale, 18407 3,483,999 12/1969 Barrett 248/188.6 [22] Filed: July 5, 1974 Primary Examin efReinaldo P. Machado [21] Appl' 485883 Attorney, Agent, 07 FirmClarence A. OBrien;

Harvey B. Jacobson [52] U.S. Cl. 182/172 [51] Int. Cl.2 EOGC l/38; E06C 1/22 57 ABSTRACT 58 F 1d is h 182172;248188.6; 1 le 0 earc l A stepladder 1s stablhzed by an extensible leg p1votally extended outwardly of a s1de ra1l of the ladder to a limit position,; A'hinge bracket is mounted on the top [56] platform of the ladder and projects laterally therefrom to pivotally suspend the leg about an axis in parallel 716,149 12/1902 Trafton 182/172 Spaced relation) the Side raiL 1,415,791 5/1922 Caronia... 1,526,654 2/1925 Yordy 182/172 6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED A'UE25I975 3. 90 1,354

sum 1 [IF 2 STEPLADDER STABILIZER This invention relates to leg brace stabilizers for stepladders.

Extensible leg types of stabilizers for stepladders are well known as disclosed for example in US. Pat. Nos. 1,235,696, 1,415,791, 1,610,596, 2,997,127 and 3,568,798. Such stabilizers are generally secured to the side rail of the stepladder by a rather expensive hinge structure. It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide an improved stabilizer of the aforementioned type having a relatively simple and inexpensive mounting structure facilitating installation of the stabilizer as well as effecting a cost reduction. The stabilizer of the present invention furthermore requires no additional bracing as in the case of prior art arrangements.

In accordance with the present invention, the stabilizer includes an extensible leg assembly that is longitudinally adjustable and which is pivotally connected to a hinge bracket that is mounted on the top platform of the stepladder. The hinge bracket overhangs the top platform in a lateral direction so as to establish a pivot axis about which the extensible leg assembly is pivotally displaceable laterally outwardly to a limit position established by abutment of the pivotal connector at the upper end of the leg assembly with the hinge bracket. In one embodiment of the invention, the hinge bracket may be slidably installed on one lateral end of the top platform while in another embodiment the hinge bracket is secured to the overhanging underside of the top platform.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an erected stepladder with a stabilizer of the present invention installed thereon.

FIG. 2 is a partial side section view through the collapsed stepladder with the stabilizer shown in a retracted storage position.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 33 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 44 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of another form of stabilizer in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side section view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 66 in FIG. 5 showing the stabilizer installed.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing yet another form of stabilizer constructed in accordance with the present invention. 1

FIG. 8 is a side section view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 88 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a still further form of stabilizer.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a typical stepladder generally denoted by reference numeral 10 having a pair of side rails 12 interconnected by ladder rungs l4 and by a top platform 16 which laterally overhangs the side rails at their upper ends. Pivotally connected to the upper ends of the side rails 12 and the platform 16, are the rear legs 18 of a leg frame assembly. The stabilizer of the present invention generally referred to by reference numeral 20 is mounted on the top platform 16.

The stabilizer 20 represents one embodiment of the invention which includes a hinge bracket generally referred to by reference numeral 22 from which an extensible leg assembly 24 is pivotally suspended. The hinge bracket 22 includes a top plate portion 26 connected to a pair of parallel spaced side channel portions 28 adapted to slidably receive the lateral end portion of the platform 16. A pivot pin 30 extends between the side channel portions 28 in laterally spaced relation to the end of the platform 16 as more clearly seen in FIG. 2 to thereby pivotally suspend the extensible leg assembly 24 about an axis disposed in parallel spaced relation to the side rail 12 adjacent thereto. The leg assembly is therefore pivotally displaceable laterally outwardly from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 1 in order to stabilize the ladder assembly.

' A retaining clip 32 is fixedly mounted on the adjacent side rail 12 for holding the leg assembly in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 2. The leg assembly includes a tubular member 34 embraced by the retainer clip 32 adjacent its lower end, the upper end portion of the tubular member being pivotally connected to the pivot pin 30 and provided with an upper abutment surface 36 engageable with the top plate portion 26 of the hinge bracket in order to limit outward pivotal displacement of the leg assembly to the stabilizing position as shown in FIG. 1. A leg rod 38 is slidably received within the tubular member 34 and is extensible downwardly therefrom to a longitudinally adjusted position. The lower end of the leg rod 38 is provided with a rubber or rubber-like foot 40 adapted to engage the ground. The leg rod 38 is releasably held in its longitudinally adjusted position relative to the tubular member by a releasable lock device generally referred to by reference numeral 42.

As more clearly seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the lock device 42 includes a threaded lock pin 44 secured to the leg rod 38 and projecting through a longitudinal slot 46 formed in the tubular member 34. Longitudinally spaced recesses 48 extend laterally from the slot 46 on either side and are adapted to receive the lock pin 44 upon angular displacement of the rod 38 relative to the tubular member. When seated in a recess 48, the lock pin 44 may be frictionally held therein by an internally threaded screw element 50.

Another form of stabilizer 52 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This stabilizer includes a flat hinge plate 54 secured by fasteners 56 to the overhanging underside of the top platform 16 as shown in FIG. 6. A pivot support formation 58 projects from the hinge plate 54 and depends downwardly therefrom for carrying a pivot pin 60 which is thereby orientated relative to the stepladder in the same manner as hereinbefore described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2.

An extensible leg assembly 62 is associated with the stabilizer 52 and includes a tubular member 64 having a slot 66 foy ed adjacent its. upper end through which the pivot pin 60 extends. It will therefore be apparent, that the leg assembly 62 is longitudinally displaced relative to the hinge plate 54 by a limited extent in order to permit it to be pivotally displaced outwardly to a limit position for stabilizing the stepladder in a manner similar to that hereinbefore described with respect to the stabilizer 20.

The leg assembly 62 also includes a leg rod 68 that is releasably held in a longitudinally adjusted position relative to the tubular member 64 by a detent pin 70 projecting from the leg rod through holes 72 formed in the tubular member 64. The pin 70 may be depressed against the bias of an internal spring 74 as shown in FIG. 6 in order to release the leg rod for longitudinal displacement to a new adjusted position.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, a modified form of stabilizer is shown wherein the hinge bracket 76 may be secured to the top of the platform 16 by means of a fastener extending through an opening 78 in the top plate portion 80 of the hinge bracket from which side portions 82 depend. A pivot pin 84 extends between the side portions 82 of the hinge bracket. The upper portion 86 of the tubular leg assembly 88 is flattened and connected by a rivet 90 to a channel shaped connector 92 having an abutment edge 94 engageable with the forward edge of the hinge bracket 76 so as to limit outward pivotal dis placement of the leg assembly 88.

In FIG. 9, a similar type of leg assembly 88' is shown connected by a rivet 90 to a hinge connector plate 96 which forms a piano hinge with a hinge plate 98 secured to the underside of the overhanging portion of the stepladder platform. A hinge pin 100 pivotally interconnects the hinge plate 98 and hinge connector 96. Stop formations 102 projecting from the hinge plate 98 limit pivotal displacement of the leg assembly 88' by abutment with the hinge connector 96 as shown.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a stepladder having side rails interconnected by rungs and a top platform extending laterally beyond the rails, a leg frame assembly pivotally connected to the platform and a ladder stabilizing assembly, comprising a hinge bracket secured to the platform establishing a pivot axis laterally spaced from the side rails in parallel relation thereto, and elongated leg assembly, and means pivotally connecting the leg assembly to the hinge bracket for pivotal displacement about said pivot axis to a limit position laterally outwardly from the side rails, said hinge bracket including a top plate, side channels connected to the top plate and slidably received on the platform, and a pivot pin extending between said side channel along said pivot axis underlying the top plate.

2. The combination of claim 1 including an abutment formed on the pivotal connecting means engageable with the hinge bracket to define said limit position of the leg assembly.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said leg assembly includes a tubular member connected to the pivotal connecting means, an extensible rod slidably received in the tubular member, and selectively releasable lock means mounted on the rod and projecting through the tubular member for locking the rod in a longitudinally adjusted position relative to the tubular member.

4. The combination of claim 3 including an abutment formed on the pivotal connecting means engageable with the hinge bracket to define said limit position of the leg assembly.

5. In connection with a stepladder having side rails interconnected by rungs and a top platform extending laterally beyond the rails, a leg frame assembly pivotally connected to the platform and a ladder stabilizing assembly, comprising a hinge bracket secured to the platform establishing a pivot axis laterally spaced from the side rails in parallel relation thereto, and elongated leg assembly, and means pivotally connecting the leg assembly to the hinge bracket for pivotal displacement about said pivot axis to a limit position laterally outwardly from the side rails, said leg assembly including a tubular member connected to the pivotal connecting means, an extensible rod slidably received in the tubular member, and selectively releasable lock means mounted on the rod and projecting through the tubular member for locking the rod in a longitudinally adjusted position relative to the tubular member, the rod being angularly displaceable relative to the tubular member between locking and release positions, said hinge bracket including a top plate, side channels connected to the top plate and slidably received on the platform, and a pivot pin extending between said side channel along said pivot axis underlying the top plate.

6. The combination of claim 5 including an abutment formed on the pivotal connecting means engageable with the hinge bracket to define said limit position of the leg assembly. 

1. In combination with a stepladder having side rails interconnected by rungs and a top platform extending laterally beyond the rails, a leg frame assembly pivotally connected to the platform and a ladder stabilizing assembly, comprising a hinge bracket secured to the platform establishing a pivot axis laterally spaced from the side rails in parallel relation thereto, and elongated leg assembly, and means pivotally connecting the leg assembly to the hinge bracket for pivotal displacement about said pivot axis to a limit position laterally outwardly from the side rails, said hinge bracket including a top plate, side channels connected to the top plate and slidably received on the platform, and a pivot pin extending between said side channel along said pivot axis underlying the top plate.
 2. The combination of claim 1 including an abutment formed on the pivotal connecting means engageable with the hinge bracket to define said limit position of the leg assembly.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said leg assembly includes a tubular member connected to the pivotal connecting means, an extensible rod slidably received in the tubular member, and selectively releasable lock means mounted on the rod and projecting through the tubular member for locking the rod in a longitudinally adjusted position relative to the tubular member.
 4. The combination of claim 3 including an abutment formed on the pivotal connecting means engageable with the hinge bracket to define said limit position of the leg assembly.
 5. In connection with a stepladder having side rails interconnected by rungs and a top platform extending laterally beyond the rails, a leg frame assembly pivotally connected to the platform and a ladder stabilizing assembly, comprising a hinge bracket secured to the platform establishing a pivot axis laterally spaced from the side rails in parallel relation thereto, and elongated leg assembly, and means pivotally connecting the leg assembly to the hinge bracket for pivotal displacement about said pivot axis to a limit position laterally outwardly from the side rails, said leg assembly including a tubular member connected to the pivotal connecting means, an extensible rod slidably recEived in the tubular member, and selectively releasable lock means mounted on the rod and projecting through the tubular member for locking the rod in a longitudinally adjusted position relative to the tubular member, the rod being angularly displaceable relative to the tubular member between locking and release positions, said hinge bracket including a top plate, side channels connected to the top plate and slidably received on the platform, and a pivot pin extending between said side channel along said pivot axis underlying the top plate.
 6. The combination of claim 5 including an abutment formed on the pivotal connecting means engageable with the hinge bracket to define said limit position of the leg assembly. 